As always this review is spoiler Free

Saturday I went out to see Maleficent with my Family, and although I had my doubts about it It ended up pleasantly surprising me.

I've always been a fan of the Sleeping Beauty story, mostly stemming out of a love for the song "once upon a dream" and since seeing the original sleeping beauty while procrastinating for finals a while back it wasn't as good as my young mind has remembered it to be. It was my first real interaction with "true love". Even little Dana didn't believe that Cinderella or Snow white actually loved their Prince Charmings after meeting them for 15 minutes, and although Aurora and Philips love may seem superficial at least they met and interacted and Philip had a name.

Where every Sunday I showcase an item of my wardrobe and brag about it.﻿

Rarely am I ever spotted without a watch on. although in my life i have only ever really worn 2 watches.

My first was a timex light blue sports watch which I wore for 3 years and was verry shabby by the time I retired it for my bright Orange CG sports watch that I got on my 16th birthday. I wore it ever single day until it finaly gave up and the plastic cracked off my hand during a trip to the sauna a few monts ago. Time for a new watch! Finally I recived this as a late birthday present last week. Actually I picked it out and bought it myself but thats aside the matter. Anyway look at the beauty.

Its a beautiful gold and silver bracelet watch from Tommy Hilfiger that's very simple, yet still elegant. Being able to read the watch is whats most important to me so I looked for something that had clear numbers and a large watch face.the band is both silver and gold and although it's designer, it was very affordable from The Nordstrom Rack, for only $55. ($60 with tax) even though it was originally $120. Anyway I'm obsessed with this watch and this is the my style spotlight piece of the week!

Want one of your own? heres the same watch just in all silver from Macys

Do you wear a watch? Whats a piece of your wardrobe that you never leave home without? Comment Below!

XOXO Dana

I've recently joined the #100HappyDays movement, (more information if you click the link on the side bar-->) but another lovely bloger from Coffee Beans and High Heals started a weekly link up for a weekly collection of your pictures. Here are the things that made me happy this week:

Day 1: My Journals because they keep me sane and grounded

Day 2: Movie Night with the Bestie! wanted to watch all of these, fell asleep in the third

Day three: Glad to spend the day with these guys

Day 4: Circle K slushies are pure bliss.

Day 5: Picnic at the river with my boyfriend. So beautiful outside

Day 6: Thrifting with my sister, found this beautiful silk scarf for only 50 Cents!

What makes you happy? Join the movement and Comment below!

XOXO,Dana

The first post in the #summerbloggerchallenge series for more information and to join click the button on my sidebar

Okay. I suppose it's been summer for a while now. Ive been out of college for the past 5 weeks, but today is the first OFFICIAL day of summer, the longest and therefor the best day of the year.

I've been struggling a bit with summer this year. After your first year of college, coming home to do nothing all summer is a major let down, and it was easy for me to fall into a rut, and when my family left for an entire week leaving me alone and bored it was hard to shake my summertime sadness. So on this first day of summer, and with the encouragement of the #summerBloggerChallenge I'm starting afresh with new plans and goals to make my summer fly by.

1. Still hoping I might get my job. I know its late in the year, but ill find out Monday if ill get the job I interview for last week. It would be a majorly great thing, mostly because since i have nothing to do I've been shopping a lot lately.

2. Write a blog post nearly every day.I finally have no excuse not to do it.

3. Finish all my unfinished sewing projects and the diys I've been saving on my pinterest board, blog about said experiences

4. Spend time with my friends. Although this is a given, most of my friends work full time or are in classes so its hard to find time that works for all of us

5. Read I used to just devour books, but this past school year I've only read one. Possibly Ill review the books i read here.

6. DO SOMETHING FUNI've been begging my boyfriend to take me to 6 flags for years, but our mutual friend may get a job there and be able to get us in for free, which would be excellent. other then that i also want to go to Ravinia, Chicago, go to taste, and anything else fun.

Later this summer I'm going to Florida with my family and possibly spending some time up in Wisconsin with my friends at their cabin. We wanted to go camping, but that may not be in the cards for us anymore, although we could go next spring break or something.

What are your summer plans? Comment below!

XOXO, Dana

From Bookish Beginnings:

Like most teens I went through a stage when I was awkward and friendless. Maybe not friendless, but up until High school (and during for the most part) I really only had One or two friends. And even then our friendship was rocky. I just never met the right people and didnt know how to infiltrate a new clique. Sure I had lots of acquaintances and was able to hold my own during school hours, but I came home and spent most of my time alone.

I Fell into loving books at an early age. I had reading problems as a child, but with most of my time spent alone or waiting in hospital waiting rooms as a kid reading was something of a given. By 5th grade I was addicted, and my reading problem had gone away. I collected my AR points like no ones business, and when I entered middle school I started reading allowed my favorites to my 7 year old sister. The reading helped with my speech impediment and helped me gain confidence for public speaking and thinking on my feet. (this is the best advice I can give for someone who wants to think faster, be funnier, become a better speaker/actress etc. Sometimes I read out loud to myself even because it helps me focus on difficult texts.)

I remember a time when my friend threatened to destroy my copy of "New Moon" in 7th grade because I couldn't get my nose out of it long enough to hold a conversation during lunch. I would walk home from school and too and from class reading. It was a little bit crazy, but it was what I needed to get through the Middle School Blues. When I entered High School I stopped reading outside of times when it was appropriate (like while walking) and mostly read at home. I would read an average of 3 books a week, at least over 60 per year. I Joined book club after a conversation with the librarian and admitting that i had already read every book she had suggested and spent afternoons just recommending books to other readers.

Since im Independently wealthy (IE dont have an allowance or anything) my bookshelf was rather sparse and for the most part I just have a well worn library card. However I have acquired SOOO MANY BOOKS in the years past then. I haven't bothered to count because it would be futile but there are definitely more then 100 fiction books in my room with me right now.

I acquired my books several ways

Traditionally: Through a bookstore

Sometimes, when a book was special, or I wanted a signed copy, or I loved the author, I would use one of the many Barnes and Nobel gift cards I would receive as a gift. CostCo and Amazon was also helpful for discounts. Honestly I can think of maybe 8 books I payed full price for from a book store, It was really a pretty rare occurrence.

2. From Library book sales

This was heaven for middle school me, and my first introduction to thrift shopping. Every few months my local library would take inventory and sell the overstock of books very cheaply, For about 50c to $1.50. I would load up on books and at home I would peel off the library stickers and cut off the protective dust jacket before displaying on my shelf. My high school library did this as well, only they gave the overstock away for free to book club members and then sold books for a quarter, and the money would be donated. I got BAGS of books with this.

3. Goodwill and other secondhand bookstores

This was my go to for a long time. At goodwill books are priced form $.80-1.50 and they are in great condition. Sometimes I would find very popular books just months after they came out because the previous owner had read it once and donated it. This was a great way to add to my collection.

4. Free books For Review

For about a year I dabbled in Book blogging and reviewing and although I never got "popular" I still got a lot of page views and a bunch of review requests and books sent to me for free. Sometimes they were just online, but I would get hardcover and paperback as well. The most popular book i ever got sent to me in preview was probably Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs, but mostly just lots of self published people

5. Free books from websites

Different websites from YA publishers like Random House's "Random Buzzers" (now bought by Figment) Simon and Shuster's "Pulse It", The Harlequin teen Panel, and a few others would send out books to members. On Random buzzers they would have sweepstakes (which I won many) for free books, and have activities tied to a point system that would allow members to "purchase" books using their points. It was the best, but about a year ago they stopped giving out as many books and then ended all together. Pulse it allows readers to read books online, and I believe that that has declined in popularity as well over the years. HTP is still awesome though. You register for the panel and they send you a book periodically. You read it and give them your feedback. Occasionally they send surveys on different types of book covers or synopsis. Anyway I got tons of books from that.

And that's pretty much it. As I got more and more busy it became increasingly difficult to read for pleasure. Now I read just about 1 book during the school year, and maybe 2-3 a month during summer. But I still have the remnants of my book obsession phase in my overflowing bookshelf and stacks of books in various places in my room. If you curious check out my old book blog for some reviews, but remember, I did that YEARS ago, so don't judge me too harshly.

And now what you've all been waiting for: The photographic Proof

Books on books on books on books

Books have migrated to sisters room. But I was the one that bought them.

It's not enough to fill the bookshelf. I have to cover those books with books and them put more books on top.

No more room on the book shelf so the books just float around my room now.

Are you as crazy of a reader as me? What do you do to get books?

﻿XOXO,Dana

It was about this time last year when I had gotten my dorm room assignment and found out who my roommate is. (well actually I chose my roommate, but the plebs who didn't found out around this time)

My roommate and I were discussing different ways to decorate the room and who would bring what, etc. Surprisingly enough, the most agonizing decision I had to make was whether or not to loft my bed.

It's no secret that I attend The University of Illinois In Urbana Champaign (UIUC), where they offer 3 different bed configurations. The Mid Loft, The Loft, and Bunk beds. As always dorm sizes and bed options differ from school to school, but I feel like these three are pretty standard when it comes to different options.

**** Disclaimer: All the photos of dorm rooms, except for those of my room at the bottom of the post, are from the University of Illinois Housing website. I do not own them.****

The Mid-LoftMid lofted bed end up to be about 3 feet off the floor. Its a bit of a jump to get up to it, but it'd good if you don't like heights or like just sitting in your bed while you do things. If you choose this configuration I would recommend practicing your high jumping skills, but if bringing a step stool or a storage ottoman would be good as well.

A Mid-loft is high enough that you can store things under the bed, and still have room for your dresser and bookshelf underneath the bed. A warning to all the people who thrash in their sleep: It still hurts if you fall off the mid-loft so be careful.

Pros of a Mid Lofted Bed

Able to watch TV, go on lap top, do homework in your bed, and want to sit normally in bed

More seating if you have friends over

You can put storage boxes behind the dresser to hide storage space

Not very difficult to get into if your "not in your right mind" (wink, wink)

You can put posters, pictures, mirrors etc on the wall above your bed and its more visible.

Cons of The mid Loft Lifestyle

Not as much storage space if you want to have things like a fridge, or chairs in your room

Your Friends might sit in your bed and get dirt or food or whatever in you bed

You might spend more time in bed sleeping because its so easy to get to

People know if your bed isnt made

makes the room seem smaller

Cant use the surfaces of your dresser as a counter.

The Lofted BedI don't know exactly but I would say that a Lofted bed is about 6 feet up in the air. They require a Ladder to get to and recommenced a railing, so you don't fall out. (the railing also comes in handy to tie your charging cord around so your phone doesn't fall out of your bed)Its big enough that you can stack your bookshelf on top of your dresser or also put your desk under your bed

When sleeping there is really only a foot in between the mattress and the ceiling so its a tad cramped and not recommended if your claustrophobic.

If your and your roommate both get your beds lofted there is room for things like extra seating, or a fridge, storage containers, shoe rack, TV etc.

The Pros of lofting

Lots of extra room

makes the room look bigger

Theres an extra shelf you get if you have a lofted bed (see picture at the bottom of post)

can utilize serfaces of dresser and/or bookshelf

can have a futon, or a TV or extra cabinets under the bed

People wont go in your bed

You dont have to make your bed ever

The cons of that lofted life

you'll probably bang your head on the ceiling

Not a lot of room for chilling on your bed

Pretty much no room to "hang out" with a significant other in a lofted bed *cough*

Sometimes when your drunk its hard to climb ladders, and you will definitely bang your head

Its harder to get out of bed in the morning when you have to climb down the ladder

If you want to have friends over you need to have different seating, cause they cant sit on your bed

The Bunk BedDepending on the dorm there may be an option to bunk the bed, (or it may be your only option) this means that both beds are connected and there are 2 small drawers underneath the bottom bunk. These come with a railing and the ladder is on the side.

At UIUC they mostly have this in the older dorms (6 pack, or North and South Ikenberry) The first bed is about 1.5 feet off the floor and the second is about 5 feet off the floor (so there is more room to sit up in the traditional lofted bed. These beds are not adjustable, so your pretty much stuck with it if this is in your dorm, but im going to do a pro, and con for it anyway.

Pros to bunking

There is a lot more room for other things in your room, like a couch, storage cabinet, or anything else you may want in your dorm

You get drawers under your bed

There's the best of both worlds with lofting/not lofting

room looks a lot bigger

Cons to Bunk Beds

Fighting with your roommate about who gets bottom/top

all around reduced private space cause your beds are in the same place

there is no definitive "side of the room" so things can get very messy and belongings can get lost.

I feel like you and your roommate need to be really close for this type of lifestyle to work out

Choosing a bed configuration shouldn't be something to loose sleep over (Ba dum tss) but there I hope these pros and cons helped you thing about what is really right for you. You can always try something out, then change it if its not what you like. Your dorms maintenance men can literally loft or un-loft your bed in about 5 minutes and are very respectful when changing your configuration.

As for me:I chose to loft my bed, but I cheated and lowered the bed 6 inches lower then a normal "loft" this gave me a little extra room so that i had about a 2 feet of room for sleeping. I wasn't able to fit my desk or the bookshelf on top of the dresser, but it just ended up working out for me the best. I was able to fit my bookshelf, dresser, a mini fridge and utilize the extra shelf. My roommate had the same configuration except she had a chair instead of the fridge. Look below for more pictures of my dorm room.

My desk, Notice the book shelf off the end of my bed as well.

My Lofted bed. And Dandelion Wall Stickers that i had put on. Notice the beam that i would hit my head on still.

Under-bed area. Fridge, Bookshelf, and dresser.

Whats your favorite room configuration? Have any thing to add to the pros and cons lists? Comment below!

XOXO,Dana

In the past I've had many jobs, well maybe not many, but I have a work history fit for someone who's only 19 and is unable to drive. It started with me walking into a thrift store I frequented when I was newly 16. I think its the first job I ever applied to actually. I noticed a "help wanted" sign and went in and asked for an application, filled it out, dropped it off talked to the owner, got an interview the next day (to which I wore street clothing too and didn't take as seriously as I could have) and was offered a job that night.

Easiest job I had ever gotten. Unfortunately nothing else seemed to go as smoothly. After the thriftstore went out of business after a few months I applied everywhere I could think of, but receiving no calls for interviews I took time off working to join the Track team. That summer I was out looking again. after many applications and a few interviews, I ended up applying to a Panera the next town after because I had a acquaintance who worked there and was willing to give me a recommendation. I worked there for a full year but since I cant drive and had to have my parents drop me off (often coming in late or staying nearly an hour after my shift ended for my ride to come) I decided to end my employment and got automatically hired for a job at my College Dining center, when the school year ended I decided to peacefully part ways with Dining, and since I quit at Panera last year I have spent the last 4 weeks searching for a summer job for the remainder of summer and one for the school year, and after applying many many part time jobs I have learned to refine the art of the job search and will pass on my tips and tricks.

1. Start Asking Around Early

If there is the slightest possibility that you will be wanting a job start calling around to local businesses and figuring out when the best time to apply is, chances are places only hold applications for 30-90 days so applying over winter break for a summer job may not work, but it might. Make a list, figure out if there are online applications, or walk in. Are you expected to submit a resume or references? start gathering those in the winter. Ask friends or past co-workers as well, because some places ask for personal references instead of previous employers, and specify that on the application. One thing that has worked for me really well is posting on Facebook asking if anyone has any leads, every time I have done this someone has contacted me with suggestions or offer their recommendation. I also post on Facebook if anyone would be willing to be a reference, usually people will volunteer.

2. Apply EVERYWHERE (that is hiring or accepting applications)

If you really need a job, don't be picky. If your too good to work at your local Walgreens or in Dining services at your school, then you don't really need a job. Sure working at a trendy boutique or a popular restaurant is fun but it doesn't give you the best chance of getting a job. That being said, don't apply for any place with work conditions that you don't agree with, or anyplace you don't feel safe working. I would also recommend only trying to get a job with part time companies where you clock in and out. There are lots of pyramid schemes or other companies where you have to pay to start working and you are not guarantee any money back. Those are creepy, never pay to work.

I find that it is best to call a company and ask if they are hiring or accepting applications. If they seem hesitant, or are not enthusiastic, chances are that they have a full staff. Don't waste your time applying for a job that its guaranteed that you wont get. Walking into the store is always good because you can speak to a manager and see shake someones hand.

3. Use acquaintances or friends to get a job.

If you are looking for a job in your home or college town, odds are you know some other people who work in the places you want to work. Contact them and ask if you can use them as a reference on your application. Sometimes employees get bonuses if you get hired using them as a reference so they should be willing to help you out, and may even talk you up to the manager. It truly is who you know, and if someone can vouch for your personality and/or work ethic it gives you a much higher chance at getting a job. I there isn't a spot on the application for a referral write it at the bottom, or mention it in a comment section.

4. Stay organized

Write down all the places that you have applied and the date you applied there, and the date you call to follow up along with any other ways you contact them. Write down the name of who you talked to so when you follow up you can mention it. Also record who isn't hiring at this time. I usually carry around my portfolio with me when applying for jobs: In it is a pad of paper, pens, resumes, and business cards/information of my references. I also have my laptop, a stapler (for attaching my resume) , and a clip board (in case there isn't a hard surface to write on). Ill write the names of online applications on it as well, so that I can go to a local coffee shop and apply for all of them at once.

5. Follow up.

This is probably the most important. 3 days after you submit your application, call during a time when you don't think they will be busy. (right at opening or closing is usually good, or the lull in between meal hours around 3-4pm if its a restaurant) Call to introduce yourself as a applicant and ask if a manager is there. If not when is a good time to reach them (write it down). If the hiring manager is there, introduce your self and ask if they have had a chance to look at your application. Most likely they haven't, will write your name down and tell you they'll call you later. Write all this down, and if they don't call by the time they say, call them back. Or walk in casually for a meal or shopping and introduce yourself to the manager again. The managers are busy and it NEVER HURTS to call a lot. Worst possible scenario: they aren't going to hire you, are annoyed, and you never talk to them again. probably they're just busy and need to be reminded. I recently had a manager of a restaurant tell me not to be afraid to just keep calling, and when i called for the 4th time, the manager set up an interview with me and told me that she was actually just about to call back.

I find that when you leave a message with an employee the manager usually doesn't read it, so make sure you actually speak to someone who will hire you.

Finding a job is a slow process and it may take some time to actually secure your employment. If it takes so long to find a job that you don't have a lot of summer left to work, try making money and using your time for other things. Check out this article I wrote for TheOdysseyOnline.com about different Jobless ways to make money.

If you have questions about anything in specific, leave a comment below and ill answer it, or make a separate blog post with more clarification.

Good luck with the job search lovelies, I wish you all the best!

What are your tips and experiences with looking for jobs in the part time workforce? Comment Below!